title: [Ultra-structural study of the lateral portion of the auditory sensorial organ using a decalcification-free method].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explain the development of a new personal technique to study the spiral ligament and stria vascularis in Guinea pig cochleae by obtaining sample tissue without decalcification and to assess its validity for electron microscopy analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples were taken from five female Guinea pigs weighing 200-250 g and were fixed in glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde for analysis of the spiral ligament and stria vascularis ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the ultrastructure components in the spiral ligament and stria vascularis could be examined without the need for decalcification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our method to obtain and analyze samples of cochlea side wall is valid, easy and faster.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación Otológica, Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España. ibenegassi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Méndez-Benegassi
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trinidad
authors.forename: José Ramón
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: García-Berrocal
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Monedero
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Verdaguer
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Camacho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003648:Decalcification Technique / Q000379:methods*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D055493:Spiral Ligament of Cochlea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013316:Stria Vascularis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography